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2011 maserati granturismo Reviews and News

The Maserati GranTurismo is big, wide, and heavy. Even in its new, racy MC guise, it is more of a GT than a hard-core sports car. But under the direction of former Formula 1 racing driver Ivan Capelli, the Maserati Corse division has created an intriguing evolution of the GranTurismo that is surprisingly easy to live with.

To qualify for the MC badge, the GranTurismo had to shed weight and gain power. An 11-hp increase sounds like cheap chip tuning, but since this is a normally aspirated V-8, the engineers had to reduce friction, weight, and thermodynamic losses. While the maximum power output climbs to 444 hp at 7000 rpm, the torque peak rises by 7 lb-ft to 376 lb-ft at 4750 rpm. Weight has dropped by about 100 pounds due to the removal of sound-deadening materials and other luxuries. Thanks to excellent dynamic weight distribution, the MC needs neither a launch-control program nor traction control to translate all the torque into traction.

Rolling through Barcelona, Spain, the blue coupe catered primarily to eyes and ears. Eyes because the modified shape turns even more heads than usual thanks to fender flares, sill extensions, a deck-lid spoiler, a blacked-out rear apron, and a front air deflector. Ears because the two large-diameter tailpipes play a spine-tingling tune above 4000 rpm in Sport mode and throughout the entire rev range in Race. On the autovia heading toward Montserrat, only the radar traps prevented us from testing the GranTurismo's aerodynamic stability, which reportedly has improved dramatically.

Further enhancing the ground-effect talents are a lower ride height, stiffer springs, tauter fixed-rate dampers, and thicker antiroll bars, as well as minor camber and caster changes. Instead of the Pirelli PZeros fitted to lesser GranTurismos, the MC rolls on even stickier and wider Corsa footwear that boasts a shaved asymmetrical tread pattern.

With the electronics set to Race mode, the MC feels like a boxer flexing his muscles. While lesser GranTurismos are talented wafters and creamy gliders, the MC is a sharper tool made for precise driving with accurately timed inputs and prompt reflexes. The MC isn't interested in grand gestures, be they late corrections from the driver or excessive attitudes of the car. Instead, it wants to be kept on a shorter leash, calling for brief and concise orders, a smart driving line, and a rhythm that does justice to the potential of the suspension, brakes, steering, and drivetrain.

At about $140,000, the MC is significantly more expensive than the base GranTurismo. By itself, the difference in performance alone makes it hard to justify the $22,000 premium, but there's much more to this hard-edged Maserati than numbers. What this car does really well is celebrate the sense of the occasion. It is a purer, leaner, and sharper piece. The reprogrammed genes don't shine that brightly in a straight line, but they transform the handling and create the ability to throw the lever inside your head into competition mode whenever you choose. It is more involving, more rewarding, and more complete overall. And because of its more focused mission, its role in the history books will always be more meaningful.

The Grand Turismo is one of the most iconic cars in existence. It will turn more heads that possibly even the most expensive autos in the world. Styled by master design house Pinifarina, the Grand Tursimo is arguably the most alluring grand touring car in production.

This jewel of manufacturing is available in three different trim levels: Base (though for this model, even the base model is fully appointed) S, and S automatic. The S trim add 10 percent higher damping rates to the already stiff suspension and offer a small shift in front to rear weight bias, which in S trim is now 47% front / 53% rear.

This coupe is powered by either a 4.2 liter or a 4.7 liter V-8. Both are sourced from Ferrari. The 4.2 liter puts 405 horsepower and 339 ft.- lbs. of torque through a six speed automatic transmission. The S model offers the 4.7 liter V-8 which is good for 433 Hp and 361 Ft. Lbs. of torque. The S version puts this to the ground wearing 20 inch wheels and a sport tuned suspension.

Honda is recalling certain Accords and Crosstours for an issue with the airbags, while the Ridgeline is being recalled for the spare tire. Airbags are also a problem in certain Toyota RAV4s, while some Maserati GrandTurismos have taillights that may not work properly.

Maserati today has announced that it has teamed up with Italian fashion house Fendi to create a high fashion special edition of the GranCabrio for the fashionista in everyone. The resulting creation, the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi is set to be unveiled at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Maserati just released the pricing of its latest North American offerings, the 2012 GranTurismo MC and 2012 GranTurismo Convertible Sport. The GranTurismo MC will start at $139,900, and the GranTurismo Convertible Sport will start at $142,800. Both prices include $1800 in destination fees and $1700 in gas guzzler taxes.

Novitec Tridente is the division of Ferrari tuner Novitec Rosso that focuses on modifying Maserati products, and they’ve come up with a novel way to ruin expensive hairstyles. Their modified version of the Maserati GranCabrio-- known as the GranTurismo Convertible in the U.S. -- touts 590 horsepower and a top speed of 187 mph.

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